The Wrong message

What kind of message are we sending when a man already banned from driving for drunk driving gets behind the wheel again, wasted out of his mind, kills a pedestrian — and walks away with just 10 years in prison?

This isn’t a case of one bad night or a tragic mistake. This is a repeat offender who had already shown he had no respect for the law, or for human life. On December 7 in the Pleszew district, this 26-year-old got into a car despite being banned from driving and having more than 3 promille of alcohol in his system. He hit two women who were walking properly on the road. A 71-year-old woman died, and a 61-year-old was seriously injured and hospitalized.

And then — he ran.

He left them on the road and ran like a coward.

Caught Soon After

He was caught soon after, of course. The case caused public outrage — as it should have. This week, he was sentenced: 10 years in prison, a lifetime driving ban, and a 20,000 złoty fine. The court also ruled to confiscate his car. But let’s be real — that sentence is not enough.

If this had been his first offense, maybe, maybe, there could be some argument for leniency. But this wasn’t a first offense. It was a repeat act of criminal negligence that ended a life and shattered another. Ten years? He’ll be out in less than that. The woman he killed will never walk this earth again. Her family won’t ever get their mother, grandmother, or friend back.

We need tougher sentences for people like this — people who knowingly break the law and put lives in danger. If you kill someone while driving drunk after already being banned, that should be life. Full stop.

What do you think, Poznań? Is this justice?